It really is girls! When it comes to make up the eyes have it. Your eyeshadow can be a work of art that enhances your best features or it can be a blob of colour carelessly applied that does nothing for anyone.
The clever use of colour and shading can create a multitude of eye shapes and effects so choose carefully, always remembering the golden rule, light shades highlight and dark shades create receding shadows.
The most popular eyeshadows are pressed powders. They usually come in single colours or colour co-ordinated duos, trios or quods. If you are not too confident about choosing co-ordinated eyeshadow shades it is best to stick with a trio compact to start with. Then you can be sure you wont be making any mistakes.
Generally speaking the more expensive a shadow is the more pigment it contains, with a better quality base which resists creasing and fading longer. Having said that you often pay extra for the brand name and fancy packaging so the better value brands are well worth trying, especially as you get lots more colours for your money.
To prepare the eye area apply a small amount of foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone around your eyes, allow this to set for a few minutes.
Apply the palest shade over your whole eye area, from lash to brow. This is your base shade, the foundation of your eye make up. It will help hold the colour and prevent creasing.
Next apply the medium shade to your lower eyelid, blend into your base shade.
Then apply the darkest shade to create depth. This shade can be applied along the lash line and at the corner of the eye. Also apply to the crease of the eye and try using it very sparingly at the end of the brow bone. This is your contour shade.
How you apply this contour shade can help eyes look bigger, smaller, wider set or closer together so experiment and see what works for you. The key is to blend so well that attention is still drawn to your eye, not your eye makeup.
Most powder shadows can be applied wet or dry. The Bourjois eyeshadows are particularly good for this.
Dampen your brush or applicator and create your own liquid eyeliner that exactly complements your shadow. Wet application of eyeshadow usually intensifies the color.
Loose pigment powders can be matte or shimmering. They are colour intense and you only need the very smallest amount. Layer to increase the intensity of the colour in a gradual and controlled way.
Matte shades are best for day time and if you have a tendency for oily skin. Perhaps just choose a shimmering base shade.
Iridescent or pearlised shadows are great for evening but matte shadows are best for the contour shade. Mature skin should avoid shimmering shadows, stick to matte ones.
Many cream or mousse eyeshadows have come onto the market in recent years. These can give you amazing colours but are more prone to creasing. Try using a cream eyeshadow as a base shade and apply a matching powder on top. Always apply cream shadows with your fingertips.
Remember to always keep your brushes and applicators clean.
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